Tanning compound.



Fries.

ATENT DANIEL WV. BROWN, OF WESTPLAINS, MISSOURI.

TANNING COMPOUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 680,222, dated August13, 1901.

Application filed September 8, 1900. Serial No. 29,424. (No specimens.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, DANIEL WV. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Westplains, in the county of Howell and State of Missouri,have invented a new and useful Tan ning Compound, of which the followingis a specification.

The present invention relates to compositions of matter used inconnection with processes for tanning and dressing hides; and the objectis to provide a compound composed of inexpensive ingredients which havegreat penetrating power and act speedily and offectively on the hides,with a resultant leather that is firm, flexible, and waterproof.

The ingredients generally used in the compound are gambier, (Uncam'agambier,) extract of cranes-bill, (Geranium) oil of birch, (Betulm) andhardback, (Sp tread iomenioscu) but the last named may be omitted whentanning certain grades of leather and any other well-known chemicalequivalent containing tannin may be used in place of gambier.

While the proportions may be varied as desired, from actual experiencethe following combinations of ingredients have been found to giveexcellent results: For calf, sheep, goat, deer, and similar hides oneand onehalf pounds gambier, one-half ounce fluid extract of cranes-bill,one-half ounce oil of birch, and three gallons water. The hides shouldremain in this compound or ooze from twelve to twenty-four hours. Forone to two years yearling hides, two and one-half pounds gainbier, oneounce fluid extract cranes-bill, one ounce oil of birch, and fivegallons of water. The hides should remain in this compound or ooze fromtwo to four days. For cow and ox hides, three to five pounds gambier,two ounces of fluid extract cranesbill, two ounces oil of birch, andfive or six gallons of water. The hides should remain in the compound orooze from five to ten days. In tanning sole-leather an ounce of hardhackis added.

The manner of preparing the compound or ooze is as follows: The gambieris dissolved in the water, which is first heated, strained throughtow-cloth, and then it must be allowed to cool until lake-warm, afterwhich the hides are dipped into the same a little at a time and airedseveral times until cool.

The hides are then immersed and allowed to remain about twenty-fourhours to color and set the grain,- after which the remaining ingredientsare added, as above described, and the hides are again immersed therequired length of time.

The preferred process of tanning is as follows: The hides are soakeduntil perfectly soft and the loose flesh is removed. They are thenimmersed in a thin batter of slaked lime and water and remain in thesame until the hair slips, (being removed and replaced several times forthe purpose of airing,)whereupon they are taken from said batter and thehair removed. They are then placed in changes of clear water until thelime is elimi= nated, after which they are immersed in the solution orooze, as above described. After having passed through this solution theyare thoroughly washed to eliminate the solution and are hung in theshade until partially dry. The grain side is then oiled and slicked inthe usual manner.

The cranes-bill'thoroughly removes the glue and takes the place of theacids now commonly used. The oil of birch when used in connection withthe other ingredients coacts therewith. Being an oil it is apreservative of leather, preventing any cracking of the grain andrendering the leather pliable, not only during the process of tanning,but after said process is finished. It also prevents molding of thetanned leather, which is a serious defect in those processes in whichbarks alone are employed. While in the ooze, the pores of the hide areopen. Hence the oil will penetrateand act as a vehicle in carrying theactive tanning agents through thepores. ByactualtestIhavedemonstratedthat the tanning process is facilitated by the use of oil of birch. Thehardhack makes the leather firm and waterproof.

While the ingredients and process have been described with greatminuteness, it is to be understood that the compound is open to changeand modification within the scope of the appended claims.

Having now fully described the compound,

what is claimed, and desired to be secured by In testimony that I claimtheforegoing as Letters Patent, ismy own I'have heretoaffi'xed mysignature in 1. A tanning compound, composed of gam the presence of twowitnesses. bier, extract of cranes-bill, and oil of birch. DANIEL W.BROWN.

5 2. A tanning compound composed of gam- Witnesses:

bier, extract of cranes-bill, oil of birch and J. B. WILSON,

hardback. J. F. HALE.

